Research Studies on Hypnobirthing

There has been much research over the years on the benefits of hypnosis and hypnotherapy techniques for pain control and especially it's support in Pregnancy and labour. Here are just a few examples of some of the studies: ~

1. Wales:Dr Mary W Jenkins & Dr M.H. Pritchard, "Hypnosis: Practical Applications & Theoretical Considerations in Normal Labour", British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, March 1993, Vol 100 pp 221-226.
A five year study, based on data recorded in the labour ward, comparing 252 women who'd each had a series of 6 Hypnotherapy sessions, with a control group of 300, same age to within 2 years. Only normal deliveries were included in the control group. The findings were:

Average length of first stage of labour for first time new mums-to-be was 6.4 hours after hypnosis, compared to 9.3 hours in the control group.

Women who had previous births were 5.3 hours, compared to 6.2 hours.

Pain relief: first baby: 50%+ of control group had more than 100g of pethidine, compared with less than 10% of hypnosis group.

Pain relief (more than 100g of pethidine) for experienced mums: nearly 60% for control group, compared with 33% in hypnosis group.

2. Toronto:
A city-wide retrospective survey. Self-referred first-time mothers, low risk, who had four 2.5 hour hypnosis sessions, were compared to similiar controls, with variations per hospital noted for controls.

Epidural rates: 40-95% (depending on hospital), compared to 18% for hypnosis group

Caesarean rates: 20-25%, compared to 6.7% for hypnosis group

Average length of labour for non-hypnosis women having their first baby was 12 hours, compared with 5.5 hours for hypnosis group

3. Florida:
A.A.Martin, P.G. Schauble, The Effects of Hypnosis on the Labour Process and Birth Outcomes of Pregnant Adolescents, The journal of Family Practice, May 2001, Vol.50, No.5.
In this Florida-based study, 47 pregnant teenagers were randomly assigned either to supportive counselling or to hypnosis. They received four 1 hour sessions at 2 week intervals. No hypnotherapist was present during labour and results were entered by unaware obstetrics staff.

Medical Intervention (including induction, forceps, ventouse & caesarean): 60% of control group (12 of the 20), compared to none of the hypnosis group of 22 patients.

Hospital stay of 2+ days: 40% (8) of the control group, compared with 4.5% (1) of the hypnosis group.